but belatedly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but belatedly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is done later than expected or after a delay. Example: "He apologized for his mistake, but belatedly, realizing the impact it had on the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

France attempted conversion, but belatedly and inefficiently.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ms Alexander was interested in Scotland's economic underperformance, but belatedly realised she was in the wrong place to do anything about it.

The Economist

But belatedly, funerals and memorial services are taking place daily, and the traditional word-of-mouth network known as telediol has reawakened, delivering death notices.

The New York Times

Governments would eventually insinuate themselves into cyberspace — to enforce their laws, impose security measures and attack one another — but belatedly and incompletely.

The Washington Post

She only started to write in her 60s – first about the ancestral seat of Chatsworth, then more generally – but belatedly she is catching her writerly sisters up.

The Guardian

Sir James Crosby, as we must still call him until the knighthood is removed formally, has done the right thing – but belatedly.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

NovaStar started closing operations in Massachusetts and Nevada, but only belatedly told the public about its regulatory reprimands.

The New York Times

Many have planned their pregnancies, but learned belatedly that their babies have severe, life-threatening abnormalities.

The New Yorker

But now, belatedly, the Mets have acknowledged the need for more punch.

The New York Times - Sports

Umpire Aleem Dar rejected England's appeal, which was led by Prior but joined belatedly by Anderson.

Independent

But, by belatedly turning to Congress and, now, to diplomacy, he has given the process more time and increased the number of possible outcomes.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "but belatedly" with strong verbs to emphasize the impact of the delayed action. For instance, "but belatedly recognized" conveys a stronger sense of eventual understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "but belatedly" repeatedly within a short span of sentences, as this can make your writing sound redundant. Vary your sentence structure and use synonyms to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but belatedly" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate that an action or realization occurred later than expected. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but belatedly" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to indicate that an action or realization occurred later than expected. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness. It is most commonly found in news media and encyclopedic content, suggesting a formal to neutral register. While "but belatedly" is valuable for adding nuance to writing, be mindful of overusing it. Consider synonyms like "but tardily" or "but eventually" for variety. When writing, ensure proper usage to convey a change in awareness or a response that occurred after a period of time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but tardily

Replaces "belatedly" with a synonym that also implies slowness or lateness.

but after a delay

Specifies that the action happened following a period of waiting or postponement.

but in retrospect

Highlights that the realization or action occurred with hindsight.

but with hindsight

Similar to "in retrospect", emphasizing understanding gained after the event.

but eventually

Focuses on the final occurrence of the action, despite any initial delay.

but at last

Emphasizes the relief or satisfaction that the action finally took place.

but subsequently

Indicates that the action followed another event, without necessarily implying a delay.

but down the line

Highlights that the action or realization happened later than expected, somewhere along the timeline.

but later on

Simply indicates a temporal shift to a later time.

but in due course

Suggests the action happened at an appropriate or expected time, though perhaps after some delay.

FAQs

How can I use "but belatedly" in a sentence?

The phrase "but belatedly" is used to indicate that something was done or realized later than it should have been. For example: "He apologized for his mistake, "but belatedly" realizing the impact it had on the team".

What can I say instead of "but belatedly"?

You can use alternatives like "but tardily", "but after a delay", or "but eventually" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "but belatedly" or should I use another phrase?

Yes, "but belatedly" is a grammatically correct phrase. However, its appropriateness depends on the context. If you want to emphasize the lateness or delay, it is suitable. Other options include "but late" or "but after the fact".

What's the difference between "but belatedly" and "but eventually"?

"But belatedly" emphasizes the delay or lateness in the action or realization, while "but eventually" simply highlights that something happened at some point, without necessarily focusing on the delay. They can be interchangeable depending on the context.